Ayza Chocolate & Wine Bar

I?m newly obsessed with this place I went there for a birthday party a few weeks back and then again for dinner the other night. The whole wine and chocolate concept is brillian. And the small plates are great too. It?s the type of place where you go and you just enjoy several courses. And then in the end you can get chocolate and sweer wine. And everything's all paired for you which is fun too (though I must admit that at first I was very confused by those numbers!) The waitress was a little waspy but sweet and gave us recommendations, though we had to push for them. The only thing is that it's so tiny. There is not even a place to stand while waiting for the bathroom.! Still, it was great.

Pros: food

Cons: bathroom

Posted 02/13/09

The other night I was walking home from work and I decided to take a different route because of some road construction and crowds. I've never been so glad about a detour! I passed it and stopped in to check the menu. The waitress was so kind and greeted me right away and asked if I wanted to eat. When I told her I was just looking around she immediately offered my a menu to look at and a card to take along. She was so nice I ended up deciding to stay for a glass of wine just based on that. and what a glass of wine! Somehow it turned into a cheese platter and a second glass, and dinner the following night with some buddies. If that isn't a great glass of wine I don't know what is!

Pros: wine list,romantic,chocolate

Posted 02/13/09

I've gottne sort of sick of the whole wine bar craze and i feel like there is one on every corner in New York, so I wasn't excited about going to Ayza.A friend picked it when I told her I would take her to dinner for her bday, and I wasn't about to tell her we couldn't go to the restaurant of her choice, so there we were and it changed my whole opinion of wine bars, or at the very least of this one. Such a pleasant surprise. The whole chocolate thing makes them really different -- I just adore Jacques Torres. Those chocolates are great. And they have a really robust menu and some great wines by the glass, but no one is as pretentious as they are in some of the other trendy wine bars.

Pros: chocolate and wine

Posted 02/12/09

I like dhtat these guys use a lot of NY stpales - Murray's Cheese, Jacques Torres truffles, Lady M cakes. It's pretty nice to give back like that -- and use the best of the best. Then again, maybe it is a little much. The prices could be a little lower or the portions bigger, in my opinion. Still the food's pretty good and that have a nice wine list. I like going there mostly though for the chicks. See, I wnet the first time when I was still with my girlfriend and then we borke up and I told my friend about it. Since theres' the whole wine/chocolate combo going on the chicks love it, and there are always like 98% ladies, so my bro and I go for the eye candy more than anything. That the food's good is just a bonus.

Pros: wine list,chocolate

Cons: small portion

Posted 02/11/09

I dig this place a lot. My gf dragged me here one night and I wasn't that excited because it seemed to much of a chick place, but not so. They have a good winemenu and some great drinks as well. It was kinda romantic too without being too sappy. A little on the pricey side though. I mean, I liked the food and all, but I could have eaten more of it. I guess it's healthier that way or something. Our waitress was pretty cute and she was really freidnly though she did nearly spill water on my lady. Anywayz I still thought it was a pretty col place and I liked the vibe and all. The manager came over and talked to us and he was pretty cool too. I'd come bakc.

Pros: winemenu,romantic

Cons: pricey

Posted 02/10/09

So when a friend suggested we meet for dinner and gave me the address of Ayza I was like, "is she kdding?" but then I got there and I realzied why. This place is gorgeous! The steel/wood thing is so sleek and hip, and the menu is amazing. Really fresh food and such a good variety. I love the whole idea of combining wine and chocolate and cheese. We started with the cheese and some flights and then we mixed it up and shared a salad and an entreee. There is literally so much to choose from. And then for dessert we had no idea what to do. Our waitress, whoc was so sweet, suggested the molten cake, and we were so glad. It was amazing. I had to get chocolate to take hom though sime you can't go to a chocolate bar and not get chocolate. I ate them the next day and have been thinking of them the rest of the week!

Posted 02/10/09

The owners of this wine bar are such nice people. They had a great idea and they've really pulled it off. They are almost always there, or one of them is, and they are so freindly and almost always talk to you or stop by most of the tables. Its nice to see people who really care about their business and their patrons. You see that so rarely these days.. They told me that the name Ayza is a combo of their two names, which is really really sweet too. Not to mention that they just do a great business. They have a lovely selection of wines and a really fabulous menu with a wide variety of foods. I'm a vegetarian so sometimes it's tough for me to eat too much, but this place has me covered.

Pros: chocolates,food,wine

Posted 02/09/09

This is an increidble wine bar. The space, first off, is simply fabulous. I am a huge fan of Richard Bloch, the designer and he did such a great job with this tiny space. He's outdone himself really. It's so cool to see how he utitlized as much space as possible, and how he opened it up. I love the lights hanging from those grates in the ceilings and that ladder for the staff, and all the wines upstairs. It's cool to be able to see them up there, and the bar is gorgeous too. All the mirrors really open it up, but the tone of them makes it still super sleek. Sometimes I feel like I go there just to geek out on the design, but then my foo comes and and I realize that's totally not the case!

Pros: design,food,staff

Posted 02/09/09

I like to come eat lunch here. It?s close to work and fast and the fixed lunch is totally cheap, which is a great thing in New York. There are a couple waitresses who know me and are great. Since I come often and usually get the same thing they often ask if that's what I'm having. That can be nice some times but every once in a while it annoys me too. i don't need the waitress to be too chummy with me. Anyhow, it's easy for lunch and I enjoy it. The price fix thing is a great deal, but I'll often do a full sandwich instead becasue they are really good especially the pulled pork. I've seen a few slip ups in service though. When it gets really busy sometimes they seem to get sloppy. One day the girl forgot my drink until I was about to leave. Regardless I will keep going there because for the most part it's really good.

Posted 02/05/09

AYZA was a great experience for me and my girlfriend. I took her here for her birthday and everyone had a great time. The food was very good. And the wine list is most notable. Plus she is a huge chocolate freak, hahaha! She loved it here, what a great experience.

Pros: Menu, Atmosphere, Staff, Food was Delicious

Cons: none

Posted 02/04/09

My lady is obsessed with wine bars lately and positive that they're the new hip thing to do. I can't even count how many hole in the wall places she's dragged me to, and most of them are really awful. So when she took me to Ayza I have to admit I was expecting the worst. I don't know if that's why I was pleasantly surprised or if it was simply that Ayza really is fantasttic but I think it's the latter. The food is great, the wine is great. It's a little romantic but also totally chill.

Pros: food and wine,romantic

Posted 02/04/09

Last week I tried to use my Restaurant-com coupon at the restaurant. When I asked whether they honored the coupon I was told by the host that they no longer honor them. I informed him that I had purchased the coupons back in November. He decides to speak with the manager / co-owner. The manager informs me that I must take it up with Restaurant-com. So being the way I am, I decide to call. It turns out that the Ayza's current contract with Restaurant-com states that they must honor all outstanding Restaurant-com coupons. The manager seemed frazzled since I had called his bluff. He then tells me that they will do me a "favor" and honor the coupon for lunch on Sunday, but not any other day. Really? They will do me a favor. As an avid restaurant goer in NYC, I decided to fight for this based on the principle. I asked the manager why they wouldn?t honor their contract with Restaurant-com. He told me again to take it up with Restaurant-com and that I needed to stop wasting his time because I was not welcome at Ayza. Wow. Really? It went from take it up with Restaurant-com to I was wasting his time and I was not welcome there. That was pretty much the end of it there. At that point I reminded him who the customer was using a few four + letter words. I'll never go back, nor would I ever recommend this place to others. It may seem like a nice place, but for the prices people are paying to eat out, they could use a lesson or two on customer service. I know others who have had similar experiences with poor and rude service at this place. I thought like many others that my experience would have been different. Guess I was wrong.

Cons: Horrible management and customer service

Posted 02/03/09

I've seen other reviewers say this is a good place for a date, but I don't see it. Yes, there's good chocolate and good wine. The food was good, but not great. But the place has such loud music that you can barely have a conversation. You can't linger over dessert and coffee because there are people waiting for tables so the staff kicks you out as soon as you get the check. Maybe it'll be better in the spring and summer when they open up the outside dining.

Pros: Friendly staff, good dessert

Cons: small, loud, rushed

Posted 01/30/09

I was really excited about the whole wine and chocolate thing. What an interesting concept, for one. And it didn't really fail to please either. The food was good though the portions were small and thw wine list was really nice. The chocolate, however, was the star, of course. It?s to die for, really. The truffles are kind of pricey (for their size) but so worth it. We also had a cheese plate to share which was great (but a little small).The place is trendy and hip, but the music was a little too loud for my tastes. Still, I liked the steel and and wood look ? it?s very modern and ultra cool. The food was all very fresh and everything we ordered (cheese, salad, chicken was pretty tasty). We finished up with 5 chocolates and now I want to go back just to try all the others.The only real downer was our waitress. She was pretty quick but had zero personality and when we asked for wine recommendations she couldn't really answer. She did, however, send someone else over to help out with the wine list, so that was good. We were ordering a bottle so I guess the staff can't be expected to know all the wines, especially when the sommelier was right there. The man who brought our food was very charming and told us about all the cheeses on the plate. The manager stopped by and was quite friendly as well. He explained that he and his friend started the place, which gives it good character. Overall, I definitely think I'd return.

Pros: wine list,ambience,chocolate

Cons: small portion

Posted 01/29/09

I started coming here shortly after Ayza opened and it's been so much fun to watch it grow. It started out with just a trickle and now it's this hip wine bar that wars some of the best wine bars in New York, a city that's full of them. The owners are super nice and you can tell they not only care about the place but about the customers too, which makes all the difference. and the place is phenomenal -- a really cool space that's bot lively and romantic, which is a hard combo to find. the food is some of the best food I know. I love the cheese list and those chocolates are simply unbelievable -- I don't even know what to say about them. I'm speechless!

Pros: food,service

Posted 01/28/09

I had the most awful experience at this place and could not recommend it to anyone. I was having drinks at the bar with friends and we requested a table when our entire party arrived as we wanted some appetizers and dinner. First we were told that unless everyone ordered an entree we would not be seated (it was crowded but no lines for tables). After agreeing, they brought our wine to our table when the waitresss knocked my wine glass and water glass over spilling it on me and my friend. She apologized, brought napkins and stain remover that required dry cleaning to work and we tried to salvage the night. After our meal, there were no deductions on the bill so we asked about the dry cleaning policy. The "manager" came to our table (this was the guy tending bar earlier) and said we had spilled the wine ourselves according to a bus boy (there was no bus boy in sight when the wine spilled). He said the fact that our waitress brought me another glass of wine was already very nice and we should not complain. I tried to explain how the accident happened (the waitress tried to stand a menu up on the table and toppled the glasses) and he said "we do that all the time" - put menus on tables or spill on customers and blame them for it??? He again said it was our fault, backtracked and said things happen, he gets spilled on and doesn't mind at all - what? I left in an awful mood - my silk scarf, wool sweater, my friend's beautiful coat and her cashmere sweater all all ruined. Never again will I return. Stay away from this place.

Pros: nothing

Cons: service/management

Posted 01/27/09

While I have nothing to say against the food and drink at Ayza, I was horrified at how management treats the customers. My friends and I started out at the bar and then moved to one of the tiny tables for dinner. The server, who had brought over our wine glasses put the menu on the table, which she put down "standing" Before we knew it, the menu tipped over, crashing into the full glass of red wine and a glass of water. The wine splashed all over my friend's sweater, scarf, my coat and our pants and chairs. The server was apologetic, bringing napkins, a red wine stain remover and brought my friend a new glass of wine. At the end of the night when we got the bill (nothing had been deducted) we inquired about the restaurant's dry cleaning policy as the instructions on the stain remover specified that the items need to be dry cleaned or washed and the stains were still visible on all our clothing items. The server then brought over the manager (bar tender?) who told us that WE tipped the glass over, and had the nerve to say that the server had been "so nice" to give my friend another glass of wine and that he has wine spilled on him frequently when he is out and he doesn't mind. Really?! Red wine on silk and cashmere? We tried to explain how the spillage happened but he was not listening at all. Overall it was a really bad end to what could have been an otherwise nice evening. For the prices they charge, I expected better service. I will never go there again.

Posted 01/27/09

Even though I think that wine bars are taking over New York, I have to admit that this one is one of the best in the city. It?s very cool and still really friendly. It?s so swanky inside that it doesn?t seem like it would be as laid-back as it is. These people are very friendly and so cool, and really good at what they do. The first time I was there the owner was walking aournd and stopped at our table. He chatted a while and asked how our food wats etc. The waitress was sweet and talkied to us too as did the guy who brought our food. He was great about explaining what all the cheeses were right away, which is not something people often do when they bring a cheese plate, so it was really appreciated. Then I cam back a few days later for lunch and my waitress remembered me which was awesome. The manager was different but he was really nice too, and stopped to talk to us again. Third time I went back the first manager was there and even though I hadn?t seen him in more than a week he remembered me and said hello like I knew him. It was so nice to find a place where people seem to know me and make me feel welcome. It?s really awesome to feel like I have a place that I can go. I live nearby so I?ll often just stop in for a drink now after work. It?s great for that but also just because I now feel like it?s fun to see all them. The food is great, though I have to say a few things on the menu seem slightly overpriced. Not everything (the paninis are a great deal) but many of the other dishes are a little but expensive. Still, I love the atmosphere.

Posted 01/27/09

This wine bar is my new date spot. Really hip but still romantic too. I've taken two ladies here and both dig the whole wine/chocolate thing. I like that the pairings are there so i don't have to look clueless about wine either. It's all right there in front of me. There are a ton of small plates so if I really like a chick I'll suggest that we share a bunch of things, which not only impresses them but is a good way to get close too! Then again, I came with the guys one night after work to chill at the bar and it turned out not only is it a good place to take dates but to pick them up too. Since there is the whole wine and chocolate thing i guess the place draws a lot of estrogen. You can't ask for more than that. In my book, that makes it the best wine bar in New York.

Pros: wine,cheese,chocolate

Posted 01/25/09

I came here on a first date with this guy and was so impressed that he had picked it. You never know what you'll end up with, and when he told me where we were meeting I have to say I cringed at the neighborhood. But as soon as I got to Ayza I was sold. It's got such a great vibe, before you even get inside. I know wine bars are really common in the city but Ayza is a pretty good one hip atmosphere (though it gets a little too crowded), nice menu of wine and cheese and other good food. I have to say I wasn't that impressed with the chocolates though. They were so tuny and just nothing too exciting, at least in my opinion. We got a bottle of wine that the sommelier recommended. I didn't love it but it was pretty good. It was really loud though, which isn't ideal for a first date. I felt like I kept saying, "What?" which is never fun.

Pros: wine list,romantic

Cons: loud music

Posted 01/23/09

I have been to Ayza about a million times since it has opened. I cannot get enough of the Pino Nior, bbq pork panini, and the keylime pie truffles! I always eat the same things (although sometimes i get more!) I have been there for lunch and dinner and the service and food have always been nothing short of perfect. While this place is a little small, the service, food, wine, and owners make up for it. Btw one or both owners are always there so you can meet them whenever you go! i think that that kind of attention to your restaurant speaks volumns about the type of business that they run. I highly reccommend Ayza to anyone.

Pros: Great Food and Great Wine

Cons: NONE!

Posted 01/22/09

You will not find me hanging out in midtown. However, if I have to go out I highly recommend Ayza.

Great place for drinks. They have some great wines by the glass. And, the food is really really good.
Service is great even with the 8 people in my party.

Pros: friendly service

Posted 01/22/09

The owners are always there, which is really nice. Both are super friendly and often talk to me, or at least always say hello. I?ts nice to see people so involved in their business and really caring about it. I guess the name is a combo of their two names. They are best friends! If that?s not sweet I don?t know what is. And the food is really great to top it all off. Everything is really fresh and the chef is good about using seasonal things so the menu changes from time to time which gives it a little variety too.

Pros: friendly atmosphere,fresh food,wine list

Posted 01/21/09

Not sure about the atmosphere. It could be cool but when I was there it was really busy and the music was so loud the urban chic motif they?ve got going on was simply verging on clubby. Nonetheless, the wines are stellar and the food delish. We had salads and cheese and a pizza that was one of the tastiest things I?ve ever had.

Posted 01/21/09

The service was really really slow We were there for almost an hour before we even got our appetizers.I don't know if the waitress forgot to enter them or what, but we had ordered a while before that, even though it took forever for her to come over to us initially as well. The food was mediocre at best and the wine list could use a little fluffing up, especially given that it's a wine bar. The ambiance could be cool but they had music blaring so I couldn't hear my self think.

Pros: wine list

Posted 01/20/09

The owners of this wine bar are such nice people. They had a great idea and they've really pulled it off. They are almost always there, or one of them is, and they are so freindly and almost always talk to you or stop by most of the tables. Its nice to see people who really care about their business and their patrons. You see that so rarely these days.. They told me that the name Ayza is a combo of their two names, which is really really sweet too. Not to mention that they just do a great business. They have a lovely selection of wines and a really fabulous menu with a wide variety of foods. I'm a vegetarian so sometimes it's tough for me to eat too much, but this place has me covered.

Posted 01/19/09

Our waitress was sweet but definitely not the brightest crayon in the box. She stumbled over the wines and merely agreed when we asked if something was spicy or full-bodied. It was clear she didn't really know what she was talking about. When we asked about items on the menu she would say a little something, but she sort of mumbled it and it never really made sense. We did alright without her though. I got this truffle pizza that was amazing but it took a very long time to come out. I think she might have forgotten to put it in. Everything else was really good though. We enjoyed our flights of wines, probably more because we could guess at good ones than from her help, but it was ok. The place was cute and I'd try it again. I guess we just got a lemon.

Pros: wine list,romantic

Cons: small

Posted 01/18/09

The things these other gents have said about the place being bad are simply bollucks. Ayza is one of the best wine bars in New York City. I moved here a year ago and got infatuated with the wine bar trend. I have visited several and Ayza ranks high on my list. It has a lovely wine list and lovelier staff. The cheese and charcuterie list could be a little more extensive but for the most part it?s fine, and the food is quite good. I especially enjoy the well-done filet. And the price points aren?t bad either, especially considering you?re getting great food and a romantic atmosphere.

Pros: wine list,staff,owners

Posted 01/17/09

This place is a great, cozy little wine bar in the most unlikely of areas. I wouldn?t expect such a romantic little place to me so close to the garment district, but here it is. And I love it. Great wine, great cheese, and of course the chocolate. It has a little bit of everything and the staff really makes you feel at home too. I?ve been there three times and every time one of the owners stops by my table to find out how I?m doing and if I?m enjoying myself. Talk about personal service. It?s really the best. My only complaint is that it?s getting so popular now that it?s starting to get too crowded on some nights. Please don?t tell anyone else about it! Ha ha!

Pros: food,customer service

Cons: nothing

Posted 01/15/09

How could I not love a wine and chocolate bar? There's nothing not to like, really, but this place really does it right too. The design is really modern and hip, which I love, and the people are nice, they play fun music, and there's just a general lively vibe to the place. It's the type of place people go and they are really happy. Then the food is simply delish. I've been three times and there is nothing on the menu that I don't like, thus far. the filet is to die for and their desserts are scrum-diddily-umptious. I can't get enough of that chocolate, and I love love love the wine. But perhaps the highlight may jsut be the eye candy they've got working there :)

Pros: wine list,food,chocolate

Posted 01/13/09

Wow. I this is the best wine bar in New York City. Good service. Good wine. Good cheese. And then of course there?s the chocolate! Absolutely unbelieveable I loved everything I ate. We were there for a really long time on a Tuesday night. Went for just a drink and ended up ordering some cheese at the bar. Then we were chatting with the bartender and ultimately just decided we were hungry and should eat. They got us a table right away and took care of everything. The owner came by and helped us pick a great wine and we had this amazing meal. My waitress so nice and knew so much about the menu. Our bill was massive but then again we did get a lot of things, and it was totally worth it. They have this great Mediterranean salad and their fish is fabulous, done really really well. My friend had the ravioli and loved that too. At dessert the waitress recommended the motlne cake but of course we wanted to try the chocolates too, so we did a little of both. I have to say the chocolates were good but that cake was simply divine. Gooey and rich at perfect. It was a great night and we will definitely be going back. They treated us like family by the end since we were there so long. The owner came by while we were eating dessert to see how everything was and he talked to us for a long time. It?s just great that it?s such a hip place and yet so comfortable. It really has a nice euro feel but without going overboard.Next time I go I want to sit outside because they have this lovely patio. But when we were there it was imply too hot. The servers are all pretty nice to look at too ? which makes it all the more fun. And they were playing fun music. I could rave forever. Now if only somehow they could get more than one bathroom?

Posted 01/11/09

I stopped by here after work on Friday to have a quick drink and then meet my friends at another bar. the atmosphere is really great and very relaxed. I had a fantastic pino nior and was so happy there that i told my friends to come and meet me! I had the bbq pork panini and salad which was exactly what i was looking for. we had so much fun (and the wine was so good) that we stayed until closing. 100% recommend ayza to anyone in the Herald Square area who is looking for good wine and good food.

Pros: great wine bar

Posted 01/11/09